Navratilova won a record number of nine singles titles, spanning three decades and involving some of the fiercest rivalries in women’s tennis history. Generation-hopping with such success is difficult to achieve. And she entered a fourth decade at the 2003 Championships when she become the oldest ever Grand Slam champion at 46 years 261 days after winning the Mixed Doubles title with Leander Paes. Earlier in the year she become the first player in the Open era to win every Slam event available when she won the 2003 Australian Open Mixed Doubles title also with Leander Paes (ie. Ladies' Singles, Ladies' Doubles and Mixed Doubles in all four Grand Slam events). In total she has won 58 Grand Slam titles. Navratilova's victory at the 2003 Championships alongside Paes also meant that she equalled Billie Jean King's record number of 20 Wimbledon titles. But what makes Navratilova “greatness” are less tangible factors. She has humility, honesty and vulnerability. People can relate to those traits which are often disguised or discarded by other superstars. She is an approachable icon with a smile that lights up a court or a room. Navratilova has had to come through personal trauma. The Czech defected from her native land to settle in the United States as a sensitive teenager, a little heartbroken, a little lonely. A junk food diet and the effect it had on her body reflected her inner turmoil. Later, she came under pressure concerning her sexuality. But she has been able to hold the negatives at bay and combine her pragmatic side with her passion as a player. Her fitness regimes alone revolutionised women's tennis as she developed a powerful attacking game, full of variety and just about perfect for Wimbledon. It was certainly enough to overtake American rival Chris Evert. She is a doer and is committed to the sport that has made her a household name. Navratilova served on the WTA and promotes her sport, offers encouragement to younger players and loves the game. She said after her doubles triumph with Paes: "I didn't think about winning when I first started playing, I just wanted to play. I just thought about competing, see how good I can still play." That's pure Navratilova. The late Ted Tinling, the famous dress designer and ambassador for tennis, saw other women’s tennis greats Margaret Court, Maureen Connolly and, in the 1920s, Suzanne Lenglen. He said of Navratilova: "I never thought I would ever see anyone who could replace Suzanne Lenglen as the greatest player and personality in my lifetime... but now I have." Written by Mike Donovan MARTINA NAVRATILOVA Singles Champion: 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986,
1987, 1990 |
